14 killed as MP bus plunges into a ditch, many still trapped

Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh), Oct 14 (IANS) At least 14 persons were killed and over a dozen others injured when a private bus carrying passengers fell into a water-filled ditch near here on Friday morning, the police said.

The accident took place at 11 a.m. on Friday near Mewasa village when the bus was on its way to Jawra from Ratlam.

Ratlam Superintendent of Police Abhilash Sharma said that 16 passengers have been safely taken out of the bus, and relief and rescue operations are on.

Many passengers are still said to be trapped inside the ill-fated bus lying submerged in water.

“The injured are undergoing treatment at a Ratlam hospital,” he said.

Although the cause of the accident is yet to be established, Sharma said the driver apparently lost control over the bus due to speeding near the open-cast mine pit, which caused the accident.